Is Now The Time To Buy A Bentley Continental GT W12: A Sublime Modern Classic or Best Avoided?

20 years since the Continental GT was launched and today it is moving ever- closer to being a modern classic. Is now the right time to take a closer look at the 'Baby Bentley'. I'm sure many of you have watched prices continue to drop to an extremely tempting point, but does that mean it's a good buy? I've got hold of an excellent example to try and find out.
The Bentley Continental GT is ageing very well and still offers an incredible blend of luxury and performance, all at a temptingly low price, but owners shouldn't be surprised when big bills come their way. After enjoying a Bentley Arnage for over 3 years, I take this much more modern Bargain Bentley out for a drive and talk about what it's really like to be behind the wheel, discuss why the Continental GT transformed the fortunes of Bentley, and of course we will touch on the realities of Bentley ownership. Don't miss the surprise appearance from my all-time dream car by a chance encounter - it's no Bentley, but it's even better!
Would you choose a W12 Continental GT over its rivals, such as the Porsche 911, Maserati GranTurismo, Aston Martin DB9, Mercedes CL etc?
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[@martinwood6503]

Bought my 2004 GT, 3 years ago, FSH, 35k miles, always wanted one, got it for mondeo money but it turns heads everywhere, get one bought, every mile is a smile

[@fuelupclassic]

Great to hear you're enjoying GT ownership.

[@stevewarnes9136]

Just bought my GT, really happy with it, always wanted one

[@fuelupclassic]

Fantastic! They really are great cars. I hope you enjoy it.

[@terrymurphy2637]

Thanks for great review. I had a DB6 Vantage back in the day (1978) when they were inexpensive ( $7500 Canadian ) & now have an 89 Turbo RL & a 58 Silver Cloud that I love & am looking for one of these GT's if the right one comes along. I have 4 collector cars & will get down a few in the next few years as I'm 77 & need to downsize but I want a Continental GT before I leave this mortal coil. I'll follow your advise & add that when buying a Rolls-Royce or Bentley " Buy the best one you can afford." I've had 13 proper motor cars in the last 47 years & never daily drive these as they are a special occasion car. If you buy the right car they are so satisfying to own & drive & surprisingly a good investment. I was a 31 year veteran & now 12 year retired Mercedes-Porsche Sales/Sales Manager but my first love has always been Bentley & Rolls-Royce. Bought my first one in London in 1976 a 54 R Type Bentley when I was 29. Driving these cars keeps me young : ). Happy Motoring !

[@fuelupclassic]

Thank you. I hope you manage to find and enjoy a Continental GT :)

[@rcmakingtracks18]

Yes, super car. Yes my dream car, yes i brought one. Love it... john

[@fuelupclassic]

Enjoy!

[@peterbustin2683]

Oooh That Aston. Perfect colour!

[@jjefferyworboys8138]

Buy the best you can afford, if you can't afford a good one, either walk away or wait until you can. It's what I always do.

[@fuelupclassic]

Absolutely! And once you buy a good one, keep on top of all the maintenance, no matter how small an issue. Buying a bad one and trying to run it on a shoestring is how many end up thoroughly regretting their purchase.

[@TheBigLifeshow]

Great video! I have a mark one GTC and she is a true delight and joy to drive every day… especially when the sun is out. A huge amount of car for the money!

[@fuelupclassic]

Thank you! It's great to get feedback from long-term owners and hear their feedback. I hope you continue to enjoy your GTC.

[@MYZTICTRAVLER]

Nicely done mate! Great job....👍 I also like the Arnage. It just has a regal, timeless look. Plus, it is packed with features boasting luxury at every turn inside and out. Your Red Arnage is gorgeous!!

[@fuelupclassic]

Thank you for watching. I was seriously impressed by the Continental GT but for me the Arnage will always have that extra special feeling. I hope to do a lot more with it over the Spring/Summer and will post some update videos as things progress.

[@Ardentautosports]

Great review!!

[@fuelupclassic]

Thank you

[@manfredwhite9418]

Nice Video

[@garyrains5996]

The armrest splits in two pieces and the key stays there nicely!

[@fuelupclassic]

Good point! I would have loved if there was a simple a cup holder or something obvious though just to put the key in each time. Anyway, it's a very minor point that certainly doesn't detract from what a great car the Continental GT is. Thank you for watching.

[@johncollier608]

I was going to suggest the same, Gary. I have a FLying Spur and that's where I put my key. :-)

[@f-u-nkyf-u-ntime]

My classic Bentley would be the S3 Mulliner Chinese Eye. Modern definitely the post face lift GT.

[@paulvallins5994]

I’m looking at buying one maybe a speed like the look of the mk 2 lots of car for the money

[@Jones-xx2gc]

What a great review. Would like to own one even if it was just for twelve months. The potential bills would keep me awake at night probably. The early version is the one I would go for. Just need to convince the wife we need to sell our motorhome.

[@fuelupclassic]

Thank you and I hope you enjoyed the video. If you decide to buy one, I would certainly advise seeking a cherished example with excellent history from a reputable specialist to ensure it came with a cast-iron warranty. That will certainly take some of the 'scare factor' out of owning one.

[@martinwood6503]

Had my 54 plate 3 years, £800 service, no other bills, except tyres and fuel, DO IT

[@joshuacoombs]

The best examples such as GTC Mulliners, Speeds and Supersports which have been well maintained are only going one way. You do need serious cash to buy one and keep it on the road.

[@fuelupclassic]

Absolutely!

[@sydbell8508]

Leave the key in your pocket Doh! The door will still open when you get hold of the handle !!! And do not jerk on the safety belt,because like all of them it will lock up ????

[@densalbeach1]

I had the idea of buying a Bentley to replace my Jag XJ Portfolio. So I did my homework on the running costs. Scared the pants off me! Servicing and replacement of wear and tear items from wiper blades to discs and pads is incredible even when some parts are direct rom an Audi A8. Decided to look for another Jag XJ.

[@fuelupclassic]

Ah yes! The running costs can often be an eye-opener but there are ways to keep them tolerable and remember depreciation is pretty much none existent on the early cars now. Speak to the RR/Bentley owners clubs and they can usually advise ways of obtaining parts at a discounted rate, seek out a respected independent specialist etc can all help but it will never be cheap. Speaking with long-term owners about £2-3k per year covers general servicing and repairs but of course if something major needs replacing this can be much more. Interestingly, the same figure is roughly what my Arnage works out on an annual basis.

[@densalbeach1]

Its still my dream car, maybe a bit more research based on your advice may help many thanks.

[@fuelupclassic]

@@densalbeach1 I hope you manage to do it, as they really are very special. Speak with specialists and owners clubs and gather as much information as possible. Buying one with a cast-iron warranty from a specialist helps take the pressure off too!

[@Makavelifaison]

Replaced my xjl with a continental flying spur. Running cost I'd definitely more

[@densalbeach1]

My XJ is the 3ltr diesel, a beautiful car with an excellent engine. The biggest surprise is its fuel economy, at a steady 70mph it returns 54mpg. Incredible for a car of its size. I love my Jag, but, I really want a Bently even with the high running costs!

[@Vince_uk]

Great cars I agree but for me the Arnage has more presence and class so I would have an Arnage ver one of these.

[@jjefferyworboys8138]

The Arnage suffers from a head gasket problem, @ £5k to repair, so best find one that already has been replaced. Otherwise a lovely car.

[@namename1]

What do you suggest for 60k continental gt , S63 coupe, or Maserati gt m6 maybe for 35k

[@fuelupclassic]

All great choices, but I think you really have to try them all and see which one suits you best. S63 coupe is a beautiful and understated machine and a Bentley will always make you feel good. The Maserati Granturismo is really under-appreciated in my opinion, especially the later 4.7 V8 version.

[@unielle]

Yes!!!

[@peterbustin2683]

Lovely car, but the colour makes it look rather staid. I used to live opposite Mulliner Park Ward Coachbuilders on Bath Road, Turnham Green W4 a long time ago.

[@ftostation]

I love my flying spur 1st gen

[@fuelupclassic]

Wonderful cars!

[@mykehyslop198]

Many people are able to buy one,but not so many can afford to own one.The repair bills aren't small.

[@jjefferyworboys8138]

The clue is in the name ! As a weekend toy they are very affordable and would you really want to use a 20 year old car as everyday transport ?

[@easyglide301]

Spilt the armrest and put the key there, I Do

[@patrickdevillers352]

E34 please

[@lexdekkers918]

Buying is one thing, but operating is a whole other dimension. Road taxes are insane due to the weight of the car, fuel consumption is considerable but manageable. The one things that'll break the camel's back (or its purse, for that matter) are maintenance and repairs. Too bad, because it's such a beautiful car.

[@fuelupclassic]

Very interesting you say that. Here in the UK road tax is not set on the weight of the vehicle, so pre-2006 examples are currently £395 per year to tax and post 2006 are £695 per year. Insurance is largely reasonable and MPG is to be expected from a 12 cylinder, performance car with substantial weight. Maintenance will always be costly (this is after all an expensive, complex and powerful car) but as a general rule £2-3,000 per year should keep on top of annual servicing and consumables at an independent specialist. A slush fund is always a good idea just in case though. Incidentally those running costs are roughly in-line with my own Arnage. Depreciation also appears to be pretty much non-existent but Continental GT ownership will never be cheap, it's just deciding if you think ownership is a price worth paying.

[@EnglishCad]

They are great cars but they are a money pit. For example rear lights. They have capacitors that degrade over time around the twelve to eighteen year mark. To replace a rear light is around £2000 +. That's if you can find one. You might have to replace the two as there are different modules that control the lights. You could buy 2nd hand for around £700, but how long will it last? Yes cheapish car to buy, but you need around 3 to 4k a year to keep it on the road properly. That's before you get to the 11mpg around town.

[@fuelupclassic]

You certainly need a generous slush fund to keep one in tip-top condition, but speaking with long-term owners around £2-3k a year is a good guide to keep one running, based on using a good independent specialist. Surprisingly, this is roughly the same figure, my Arnage has cost each year. Regarding the lights, several companies can now refurbish them, which I believe is around £350 per unit.

[@EnglishCad]

@@fuelupclassic they only refurb the LED's not the module, as far as I know.

[@Mr.Oblivian]

What about a 2015 Flying Spur V8?

[@fuelupclassic]

We will get one on the channel and find out :)

[@dendemano]

It’s lost some bop in that time. I was surprised to see just how much a car can potentially differ from the power output from new, as opposed to a motor that is no more than 10 years old.

[@fuelupclassic]

Certainly didn't feel as though it had lost any of its claimed 552 bhp. Even 20 years on, a Continental GT is still a very brisk car, capable of near 200 mph top speeds. If you wanted to confirm whether or not a car had lost any of its original power, a rolling-road would be the best option.

[@frankiefrench98]

When bentley discontinue the w12 will my 2022 Bentley flying spur w12 go up in value

[@fuelupclassic]

Possibly! It's a legendary engine and will likely be the last of its type as Bentley move towards all electric. However, when the iconic 6.75 V8 was recently discontinued by Bentley, it didn't have a dramatic effect on values.

[@realgenericuser9169]

In a couple decades.

[@AB-op7bv]

👍

[@realgenericuser9169]

Who are these people paying five hundred pounds for an oil change? I'm in the land of dollars, but the filter can be purchased for $25, the oil costs $160, draining the oil takes a wrench and big oil catchment. You remove the air shield, pull the drain plugs, replace the filter replace the drain plugs with new crush washers, replace the shield, fill the oil. The windshield wipers? 2 for $20. Even the pads and rotors can be sources for a reasonable price. Stop getting ripped off and find a reasonable independent shop. Or learn to change your own oil FFS.

[@fuelupclassic]

A DIY oil change is certainly possible and I admire owners who choose to look after their own cars. However in the quest to save a few hundred pounds, it can often be false economy in the long run, especially if you do not plan on keeping the vehicle for an extraordinarily long time. Around £500 is the current going rate for an annual service at a reputable RR/Bentley specialist. A significant amount for sure, but there's other considerations one should make. Most owners will not have the space, skill or desire to carry out their own work. The biggest factor here in the UK in particular is how resale values are significantly reduced when a prestige car does not have a full and extensive specialist service history. Potential buyers will likely run a mile if they think a Bentley has been 'home serviced' or 'looked-after' at the local run of the mill garage, for fear that the owner has skimped on keeping the vehicle in tip-top condition. It often doesn't mean the car is any worse because of it, but ultimately a Bentley with a comprehensive specialist service history and detailed invoices showing meticulous upkeep will often make a Bentley much easier to sell and command a significant premium over one that doesn't - the price difference is usually in the thousands, so all of sudden saving a few hundred here and there doing your own oil changes, doesn't always make long-term sense unless you plan on keeping it forever.

[@tacfoley4443]

I'd be fairly 'passionate' about a car if I'd paid a million pounds for it..................

[@fuelupclassic]

You would be surprised, many owners with hugely expensive classics view them solely as investments and have little personal attachment, and therefore so many never get driven. This one had been driven all over the UK, was clearly loved and is basically a daily driver during the spring and summer months.

[@Bobblenob]

Money pit

[@patrickmeaney6743]

Junk cars-get a Lexus-p

[@fuelupclassic]

I have one of those too! Great cars but not really in the same league.

[@realgenericuser9169]

Why not just tell everyone to buy a corolla? The Lexus doesn't compare if presence matters to you in the least.